"Wow, tonight's a feast!" Emily exclaims as she comes down for dinner.

Meat is displayed on the table with wine, Jax and Conrad are already digging into their feast. Emily joins them and yanks off a chunk of meat, Conrad pours her some wine. Jax picks up his glass of wine and raises it for a toast.

"To Conrad for killing a healthy game," Jax says.

They clink their glasses and gulp in the content.

"We haven't caught a game in months. I'm surprised that Conrad successfully caught one, It has motivated me to go for everyday hunting," Jax continues.

Conrad's mind drifts to the fantasy girl he met again in the woods, she is the real reason behind his successful hunt. She is a weird one but she did not seem bad when she spoke to him. Jax suggested that they might be mates, but his wolf did not call out to her the first time his eyes met hers. Conrad shakes the thoughts about this girl off his mind, there are many other better things to do as a beta.

"Thank you for this meal, I don't think I've enjoyed a meal for a while, " Emily appreciated.

"You don't have to thank us for a meal, Em. We are always glad to entertain you," Jax responds.

Conrad and Jax relax on the balcony, taking in some fresh air.

"How long will your cousin stay here?" Conrad asks.

He tries hard not to sound too inquisitive, he only wants to confirm if he can go on with his plans to approach Emily. He feels like this is the right time to reveal his feelings to her and get to know her better.

"I don't how long. I'm sure it will be for a couple of months or more, why do you ask?"

Conrad shrugs, "Just wanted to know. She brought in a lot of luggage that's why I was wondering."

"We are going to see the progress at the training ground."

"Again?" Conrad snaps.

Jax gives him a sharp look, "Yes, we have to keep up with their progress."

Conrad nods absentmindedly, he is mostly wondering how he would confront the girl again.

The next morning, Conrad and Jax set out to the training ground. The recruits are already training hard to be perfect, Jax nods at their progress.

"They will begin their duties soon. The rogues outside are trying their best to get in and attack us, we can not give them that opportunity to strike."

Conrad nods, agreeing with his Alpha's decision. The recruits have trained long enough, also, beginning their duties will relieve him of some stressful burden and he can get to spend time with Emily.

Conrad searches around for the girl and soon sights her, she has just finished her training and heads to take some water. Her eyes meet Conrad and she freezes, he could tell because the water accidentally spills on her clothes. Conrad moves away, seeing that she has been distracted already.

He enters the garden and sits on one of the benches. Jax should be meeting with the Gamma, the warrior leader, to discuss the recruits and how they will carry out their duties.

"Hello?"

Conrad jerks around, the girl is standing behind him with a light expression on her face. He composes himself, this is a simple girl and he should not be jerky around her.

"Hi."

"I'm Freya, one of the recruits."

Conrad nods, "I see. By the way, I admire your hard work and dedication to the pack affairs."

Freya blushes slightly, an action that Conrad depicts she is having a crush on him - Jax was right. She looks at him blankly - Is she expecting him to say more?

"And I am sure that you will deliver your duties seriously and diligently," he adds, just to be sure he said something else.

But the girl - Freya, continues to stare at him. Conrad becomes confused again, not knowing what the girls' problem is. Her cheeks are rosy and bright red - she must be dying inside to avoid his gaze on her. Conrad stands up abruptly, he is beginning to think that the girl might be misinterpreting his actions towards her.

"You should learn to stop gazing foolishly at people especially the beta of your pack. I can pick it as an offense and punish you for it," he speaks coldly.

The color on her cheeks disappears, and her smile vanishes as quickly as it comes. She drops her shoulders as if she is disappointed with what she is hearing now, and then she bites her lips nervously and bends her head in shame.

"I'm sorry, beta Conrad."

Conrad feels bad for confronting her in such coldness but he has to push her to wake up to reality, instead of feeding on her fantasies. He adjusts his shirt and leaves the garden, going to look for Jax, who is already done with his meeting and is waiting for him.

"Where have you been, Conrad?"

"In the garden. I was clearing my thoughts on something," Conrad replies, not wanting to go into more details.

Jax nods, "I have spoken with the gamma. The recruits will be assigned to their various duties within the next three days. I want to throw a party for them and also to welcome Emily into the pack officially, I know that she will like it."

"Emily will sure love a welcoming party. I also believe that giving her something to do will be the best for her, so she does not overthink herself to death ."

Jax nods, Emily deserves better. After realizing that Louis had hurt her badly, thereby left a scar that can not be forgotten. Conrad is also right in the sense that Emily needs to have something to do, he is fully aware that she still thinks about Louis. Being busy will help her a lot to forget about him easily.

When they arrive at the pack house, Conrad decides to address a concerning subject that needs to be done.

"There is a recruit that I want you to have posted at the farthest distance from the pack. Her name is Freya, I don't want to be seeing her face here."

Jax is taken aback by his request, "Is it the fantasy girl from yesterday? But why?"

"She is becoming a huge annoyance to me."

And will distract him from achieving his plans to win Emily's heart.

"If that's what you want, Conrad."